HRC Blog

As we gear up for the Clergy Call for Justice and Equality, May 4 and May 5, 2009 we want to give you a sneak preview of what’s to come.  This is just a sampling, please go to our website: www.hrc.org/religion for regular updates.  If you haven’t registered yet to come to Clergy Call, now is the time.  Simply go to  www.hrc.org/clergycall and encourage your friends and colleagues to register as well.  Registration is completely free.   On the evening of May 4, we will celebrate our Interfaith Service: Advocating from a Spirit of Abundance. (See our website for updates on HRC’s Clergy Call conference on May 4 and our lobby day schedule on May 5).  The theme of this year’s interfaith service is abundance!  Surrounding us daily are cries to beware of encroaching scarcity: scarcity of financial resources, scarcity of time, scarcity of emotional capacity, scarcity of community engagement.  At a time when our economy seems on the verge of collapsing and war continues to tear at the fabric of society, it is no wonder people feel threatened and fearful for their own wellbeing.  But, it is precisely at such moments that we need to hear most from faith leaders who are fed by a deep belief in the abundance of the Spirit, the abundance of our diversity, and the abundant desire for real and sustaining justice.   In such a spirit of thanksgiving we will gather on the eve of our Capitol Hill lobby day to express our gratitude for the divine presence that is with us when we honor our differences in our work for justice. Our differences are our strength and they are great indeed: transcending theology, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, geography, ability and class.  When our voices-- united in a commitment to justice--can be heard through the rich cadence and registers of our unique experiences, identities, and faiths, we have the power to move mountains.

The speakers at our interfaith service will reflect on and as a body reflect this abundant diversity:  We are honored to announce that our keynote speaker will be Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Cleveland OH.  Rev. Thomas will literally set the tone for all that follows and  Bishop Flunder will leave us with our clarion call to action.  We will also hear words and music from: Dana Beyer, MD., Conservative Tifereth Israel Congregation,  Washington, D.C.;  Cantor Rosalie Boxt, Temple Emanuel,  Kensington, MD; Rev. Amy Butler, Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; Rev. Elisheva C. Clegg, Palmyra, Virginia; Dewayne Davis, Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations and Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C;  Rev. Dr. Sidney D.  Fowler, Hope United Church of Christ and HRC’s Religion and Faith Program, Alexandria, VA; Harry Knox, HRC’s Religion and Faith Program, Atlanta GA. and Washington, D.C.;  Lynn Loosier, New York City, NY; Rabbi Toby H. Manewith, Temple Micah, Washington, D.C.; and Martin Matthews, Cathedral of Hope, Dallas TX. Come to the Clergy Call for Justice and Equality to speak out for LGBT people and their loved ones.  But come, too, to be renewed in your own spirit.  We can’t wait to see you!